Clean Governance & Compliance

Regulatory clarity, integrity and execution — compliance in Hungary and CEE without shortcuts

Trusted legal advisor for corporate compliance and regulatory matters, helping leaders turn legal complexity into business clarity.

Doing business in a regulated environment today is not just about compliance and regulatory clarity — it is about trust, reputation and leadership accountability. Every company operating in Hungary and across Central and Eastern Europe faces not only market risks but also regulatory uncertainty and operational exposure. The real question therefore, is no longer “Are we compliant?” but rather “Is our system strong enough to stay compliant under pressure?” 

This is what defines true regulatory resilience — a principle at the heart of our compliance and regulatory advisory work in Hungary and the CEE region.

Compliance and Regulatory Approach

Clean Governance is the answer. It combines legal precision with transparent decision-making and ethical clarity. Knowing the rules and having the right mindset to leverage the opportunities gives leaders freedom to act boldly — and as a result that’s where real value is created.

It ensures that your organisation remains legally compliant, reputationally safe and operationally stable — without relying on “fixers,” connections or informal influence. In fact, this is the philosophy behind my work: I help companies operate safely, confidently and competitively in complex regulatory environments. Acting as a trusted advisor partner who gives strategic advice and clear solutions leading to real impact for my clients.

From Compliance to Competitive Advantage in Hungary and CEE

Compliance is not paperwork — it is clarity, accountability and trust. When approached correctly, it becomes a framework that enables faster growth, stronger resilience and better business outcomes. The question is not about who is an excellent compliance and regulatory lawyer in Hungary, but rather who can create value with his insights and solutions.

Recognised by Chambers Europe and Legal 500 for Projects & Energy and Competition Law, I help companies and investors build transparent, future-proof operations across Hungary and CEE — combining compliance and regulatory expertise with strategic business insight. As a compliance lawyer based in Budapest, Hungary educated at leading global business schools and supported by a deep multidisciplinary team of lawyers, economists, IT specialists and engineers, I work personally with clients to bridge law, strategy and execution.

Clients appreciate my directness: I tell the hard truths when needed and focus on how to make things work, not on why not.

“I worked with Gergely Szabó. What makes him stand out is that he can explain complex regulations and practices in a smooth way and find practical solutions in a relaxed and easy manner. He could move the project forward reaching a good agreement for both parties.” and “…have in-dept understanding of our industry and the company’s needs, and a proactive and insightful approach.” — Client testimonials, featured in Legal 500 and Chambers.

Advisory Focus: Compliance and Regulatory Expertise

1) Regulatory Compliance & Authority Representation

Practical support on compliance and regulatory matters before and during proceedings with Hungarian and EU regulators — clear strategy, fast execution, full confidentiality.

• Competition law / GVH (HCA) representation (dawn-raid preparation and handling, antitrust compliance, representation in cartel cases and merger clearances, post-investigation compliance tasks)
• Central Bank (MNB) supervision & licensing (authorisations, supervisory procedures, provision of data and notification of changes)
• Data protection (NAIH / GDPR) (incident response, employee/supplier/client data audits, privacy governance, DPO services)
• Energy / MEKH (HEO) licensing & advisory support (regulated-sector advisory and representation)
• Regulatory crisis management (immediate 48-hour first response to authority actions, strategic advice and helping in execution)
  See also: Antitrust, Competition · Energy law 

2) Governance & Integrity Systems

Compliance works when it’s built into decision-making and accountability. We design governance structures that are transparent, defensible and operationally realistic. As a result, our governance frameworks ensure long-term stability across all compliance and regulatory systems and reporting lines.

• Integrity & ethics frameworks, conflict-of-interest and gift policies, whistleblowing channels
• Contract-risk audits for drafts, templates, executed documents, GTCs and warranties
• Oversight of outsourced functions and supply-chain controls
• Labour-law governance: remuneration, templates, executive contracts, equal-treatment and HR systems

3) ESG / NIS2 / AI Act Readiness

Regulatory foresight is now a competitive advantage. We integrate ESG, NIS2 and the EU AI Act into existing governance — not as bolt-ons but as part of the system.

• ESG G-pillar governance and CSRD preparation
• NIS2 compliance: leadership duties, accountability and cyber-governance
• AI Act readiness: use-case mapping, risk classification, documentation, transparency and oversight
• Unified oversight of IT-security, data protection and corporate governance

4) Transaction & Due-Diligence Readiness

Before a sale, acquisition or financing, regulatory clarity protects value.

• Sell-side readiness assessments, gap-analysis, providing legal factbooks and sell-side due diligence (DD)
• Partner and vendor risk mapping
• Reputation and governance due-diligence support

5) Strategy & Co-Creation Advisory

Many lawyers explain why not. I work with clients on how. This is where legal insight meets execution thus, creating real value.

• Early-stage structuring of projects and ventures
• Translating regulation into actionable plans and KPIs
• Trusted strategic partner for boards, founders and investors
• Business-model alignment with regulatory frameworks (energy, fintech, telecom,  e-commerce, digital)

6) Cross-Border & Investor Advisory

A trusted bridge for international investors and law firms navigating Hungary and CEE.

• EU/Hungary regulatory alignment and localisation
• Local counsel for international compliance and M&A teams
• Regulatory bridge for non-EU investors (e.g. China)
• Co-counsel-ready: conflict-free local regulatory support for international law firms—fast scoping, bilingual execution, board-level reporting.

How I Work

• Straightforward. Timely, candid advice beats delayed perfection.
• Strategic. Legal risk translated into management language and measurable outcomes.
• Collaborative. Co-creation with internal experts for pragmatic solutions.
• Independent. No political exposure, no “fixers” — only transparent, defensible outcomes based on real knowledge and experience.
• Outcome focus: I target measurable improvements — shorter investigation cycles, fewer findings, faster approvals and cleaner audit trails.

Together, these principles define the Clean Governance approach — practical, transparent, and built for complex organisations.

Engagement formats: Fixed-scope diagnostics and solutions • Ongoing advisory • Project execution

Who I Work With

✔️ Executive teams seeking stable, transparent operations in regulated markets
✔️ Investors who value integrity and sustainable growth
✔️ Boards looking for a long-term partner, not a short-term supplier
✔️ International law firms and compliance leaders looking for a trusted Hungarian partner on complex regulatory projects
✔️ Corporate compliance officers and general counsels seeking local insight and trusted execution in Hungary and CEE

Not for:
❌ Clients expecting connections or informal influence
❌ Those treating compliance as box-ticking bureaucracy
❌ Projects where price matters more than trust

Selected Credentials

• Ranked by Chambers Europe and Legal 500 (Projects & Energy, Competition Law)
• Cross-border advisory across energy, finance, technology and infrastructure
• Global executive education; frequent speaker and mentor on governance and regulation
• Backed by a multidisciplinary team (law, economics, IT/cyber, engineering)

Recent mandates (anonymised)

• NIS2 governance build and compliance for a large industrial company; C-level roles and response protocols implemented before audit.
• Dawn-raid defence and representation in cartel proceedings and subsequent court proceedings of numerous large clients in various landmark competition cases.
• Sell-side compliance readiness for a large provider of office equipment and stationery products; cleared key findings pre-DD to protect valuation.
• Strategic advice and co-creation for development of energy storage battery products and PV projects for a large player in a hectic and radically changing business and legal environment. 
• Helping the growth and compliance of a leading European e-commerce platform providing clear competition law, consumer protection and e-commerce advice and solutions.
• AI Act-based strategic advice and co-creation of numerous new projects, digital services and procedures.
• Risk-assessment of energy sourcing strategy and advising on contractual terms for a large food manufacturer.

Clients achieve faster market access, shorter project cycles, stronger compliance resilience and measurably lower regulatory and financial exposure — turning compliance into tangible business value.